Not receiving time based reminders following latest update

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Adam Mercer

Asked on Jul 15, 2014 - 01:34 UTC

Since updating to the latest Android app (5.2) I'm no longer receiving push notifications that use time based reminders. Location based reminders are triggering notifications just not time based reminders.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the app and am still seeing this problem. Any other suggestions?

All responses

If you head to the Todoist.com settings page, under Account, hit Issue A New API Token. Let me know if it continues to be an issue.

Though we have had no luck in reproduce issues with reminders. There was an issue during Beta, but not now. Which version of Android are you running?

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 15, 2014 - 02:01 UTC

I'm running 4.4.4 on a Nexus 5. I'll create a new API token and see if that helps, also the Play Store just prompted me to update Todoist to 5.2.1 so I guess I'll see if that helps before issuing a new API token...

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 15, 2014 - 13:27 UTC

This morning my timed reminders didn't issue notifications so I created a new API token and logged back into the android app. I sent a test notification and that came through. I have another time reminder due in about an hour so we'll see if that comes through.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 15, 2014 - 14:51 UTC

Seems the creating a new API key may have done the trick as the most recent time based reminders triggered notifications, I'll monitor how it behaves the rest of the day and let you know.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 15, 2014 - 14:57 UTC

Adam,

Thank you for the information. We do have other reports of issues and are looking into nonetheless.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 15, 2014 - 22:46 UTC

Looks like I spoke too soon, one of my timed reminders this evening didn't trigger a notification. I have a couple more this evening so I'll let you know if I hear anything from them.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 16, 2014 - 01:47 UTC

The task this evening didn't trigger notifications either.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 16, 2014 - 02:03 UTC

Adam,

I will pass this along and see if we can find the cause. Even though you re-installed, I'd suggest heading to the Android Settings, and Clearing Data for Todoist.

Regards,
Brendon

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 16, 2014 - 02:05 UTC

I've done that a couple of times already.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 16, 2014 - 15:08 UTC

Adam,

Are you using any of our other apps/plugins? Which?

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 16, 2014 - 15:11 UTC

On my browser? How would this affect android app notifications?

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 16, 2014 - 15:29 UTC

Adam,

Only your browser is being used, no desktop apps or Outlook, gmail? They are all connected and we are looking into every possible situation. We have recently had issues related to all platforms.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 16, 2014 - 15:37 UTC

I'm using the web app and the Chrome extension. Browser extension wise I'm also using AdBlock, HTTPS Everywhere, and Ghostery (todoist.com is whitelisted in Ghostery as I found that without being whitelisted I couldn't set a location reminder), I am using other extensions but can't see how thay could effect things.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 18, 2014 - 12:23 UTC

Last night, and this morning, time based reminders triggered notifications. Was something changed server side that could explain this?

David Trey staff

Replied on Jul 18, 2014 - 12:54 UTC

Hello Adam,

We're making improvements all the time, though I'm not aware of an update reg, this issue, we did make some changes. Please let us know in case the issue would return.

Best regards,
David

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 00:23 UTC

But this evening the timed reminders didn't trigger notifications. :-(

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 00:38 UTC

Adam,

You had it working and then not, so that leads me to believe that it may be due to the syntax you are using for the due date and/or reminder.

For the ones that fail, what did you type exactly into the date box, or how exactly did you setup the reminder.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 00:42 UTC

I have a lot of recurring reminders, the same ones that triggered notifications last night didn't trigger notifications tonight. I did not change anything with the tasks, other than mark them complete yesterday which generated new ones for today. The syntax for the due dates are identical. i.e. "every day @ 6pm".

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 02:01 UTC

Adam,

There is no way a reminder can go off one day and not the next. Are you saying now that it didn't work, the next day will work?

Are you sure they do not come in, maybe they just do not make noise?

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 02:22 UTC

That's exactly what I'm saying, and I agree it's weird but that's what I'm seeing. The notifications are definitely not coming through, tonight at least. I have a task due at 7pm with a reminder 30 minutes before so it should be triggered at 6:30pm. I was using my phone at this time, sending a text message, and no notification was received.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 02:38 UTC

Adam,

We will continue to look into this though, something odd is going on. Never have we had a situation where it sometimes works, sometimes does not.

If I think of something I will let you know. Do SMS and Email work without issue? To confirm.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 02:39 UTC

You mean SMS and email notifications? I currently don't use any of those, I'll set up some test tasks.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 03:05 UTC

I've set up some repeating test tasks for both SMS and Email reminders, the due dates are of the form "every day @ 10pm", I requested notifications 10 minutes before. One task was using SMS notifications and the other Email notifications, only the email notification came through. A test SMS came through when I requested one through the settings.

I've added some more for the morning and will report what happens then.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 16:04 UTC

This morning I had a total of 7 tasks that should have triggered notifications, there should have been 5 push notifications, 1 SMS, and 1 Email. I received 3 push notifications, and 1 email only. Two of the tasks didn't create push notifications that should have done and the task that should have created an SMS notification didn't trigger receiving an SMS.

I'll report again tonight then I have another series of tasks. There should be 6 in total, 4 with push notifications, 1 SMS, and 1 Email.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 16:11 UTC

Adam,

I am starting to think it may be a unknown issue with your account. Are you able to test with a new/differnet Todoist account? I have gone over this and tried to reproduce and figure out what could cause this, but there is no technical reason why they come through, then do not, then do. Let me know about testing a new account, and I will pass this along and see if we can come up with anything else.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 16:17 UTC

I don't have another but I can suppose I can create one? I imagine the new account wouldn't be a premium account though? Would deleting all my tasks and restoring them from a backup accomplish the same?

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 16:18 UTC

Adam,

I'd suggest creating one, I will add Premium to it (let me know the address) and just create a few new tasks with reminders, as many as you have been trying with your account. I do not think its needed to backup from your real account yet.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 16:31 UTC

I've create a new test account, using email ramercer+test@gmail.com. I'll create some test tasks and see what happens.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 17:17 UTC

Adam,

It's now Premium.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 17:27 UTC

Thanks, I've created 6 tasks 3 for 7am using SMS, Push and Email notifications and 3 for 6pm using SMS, Push and Email notifications. I'll let you know what happens tonight...

PS: I've set them for tonight as I'm going to be busy until then and won't be able to keep an eye on things.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 23:49 UTC

The email and push notifications came through, the SMS did not. It seems that this new account is also experiencing the same issues.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 23:54 UTC

Adam,

The issue was that PUSH would only sometimes work was that not the case? We are aware of issues with SMS and we are looking into it.

Though if PUSH is working, and was working 100% on the old account that is good news. SMS is a a major issue which we are hoping to fix soon.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 19, 2014 - 23:57 UTC

OK, I'll see how the morning tasks go and report back.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 20, 2014 - 15:23 UTC

On the test account the same occurred this morning, no SMS but push and email notifications. From your message is seems that SMS not working is expected at the moment. On this test account is seems that push is working as expected, so I'm going to switch back to my regular account and see how that behaves.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 21, 2014 - 00:08 UTC

On my regular account I was supposed to have received three push notifications by now, but I received none. As it seemed to be working on the test account is it worth backing up all my tasks, deleting them all, and restoring from backup?

Or do you suggest another approach?

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 21, 2014 - 00:12 UTC

Adam,

I have never really seen removing all, and restoring from backup work in situations like this, but if you are willing to it, it may be worth doing before the next step.

If that does not help, the quickest solution would be to import all your tasks to the new account, and then delete the old one. The long solution, would be to come up with more ideas and questions to ask you, and see what the developers think, and then hopefully find the cause. There have been some cases where accounts for whatever reason start to act weird, and we have yet been able to find out, though very rare.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 21, 2014 - 00:37 UTC

OK, well it's worth a try. I deleted all tasks and then imported them from a backup.

I'd prefer to try and figure what the actual problem is if at all possible, so if you can come up with anything else that you'd like me to try...

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 21, 2014 - 00:46 UTC

Just noticed something strange, after importing from backup the tasks that had reminders set now have two identical ones set? I've been through and deleted one of them but thought I'd report this.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 21, 2014 - 01:35 UTC

Just had a push notification come through correctly! I'll report back in the morning on how the morning reminders behave.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 21, 2014 - 12:46 UTC

This morning all the expected tasks triggered push notifications, progress. There is another due in a couple of hours but so far things are looking good.

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Quent Rhodes premium

Replied on Jul 21, 2014 - 13:24 UTC

I have been experiencing similar issues with timed push notifications working inconsistently since location-based reminders were added. One day they will work fine, the next day they won't. Since the problem began, I have issued a new API token and I have completely logged out of the mobile app, cleared the data and the cache. Sometimes, the issue will be resolved for a day or two, other times it won't. I am concerned that if you guys haven't been able to reproduce the problem yet, you will not be able to fix it; and I will miss something critical without warning. I am too dependent on time-based reminders to use Todoist if they aren't working properly.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 00:26 UTC

This evening tasks didn't trigger notifications so it looks like you were when when you said that you doubted restoring from backup would help.

What's next?

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 01:57 UTC

Adam,

To be honest, we have tried everything. Logging out, clearing data for apps, cache, making sure syntax's used are correct, new API, reinstallations, and so on.

Since no one else seems to have this issue (the randomness that it is) its very hard to resolve. There is the user above you that seems to have that issue, which may be a good sign, that it may be a new issue, which we can solve. Though I have yet been able to reproduce it :( I know you said it started on the 5.2 update, but can you think of anything else that may have changed?

Honestly, the best option would be to transfer you to a new account. This issue is rare, normally its an issue that can be reproduced and then fixed, this appears different. So I don't think it would happen again.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 02:00 UTC

I can't think of anything else, I just started seeing this with the 5.2 update.

Is there a way that you could reset my current account completely or would I need to transition to a new account with a different email address?

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 02:17 UTC

Adam,

Wishing I had more ideas, but yes, it would require a new account, like the one you just created for testing. I would make it Premium, you grab your backups, import them to the new account, and then you are set.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 03:45 UTC

So I guess I'd lose my karma then? Not the end of the world and I'd rather have a working account. I'll setup a new account, transfer my tasks and then get back to you.

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Quent Rhodes premium

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 13:09 UTC

My time-based reminders weren't working yesterday even after logging out, clearing caches, etc. I restarted my phone before bed and all of my reminders have worked so far today. It's a possibility that the issue could be caused by my phone. It's a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 running Android 4.4.2. I also use Nova Launcher, but I don't think that the launcher would impact notifications.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 14:59 UTC

Quent,

No, I use Nova Launcher myself without issues. I would suggest starting a new thread though for you, this is quite a long one for Adam. Though, are you sure you are always within a strong connection area when the reminders are due?

Regards,
Brendon.

JH

Julie Halatek premium

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 16:49 UTC

I'm having the same issues--but only with certain tasks. Some reminders are going through, and others are not. I can't pinpoint the exact start date, but it would be consistent with the new Android update. I have my reminders set to 30 minutes before. I will either enter a date and create a specific reminder time; or, I will give the event day/time an accepted format (e.g., "today at 4pm"). My phone/computer will show that a reminder was created--but, it won't actually send the push reminder (via SMS). However, some of my events that are recurring will send the push notifications regularly. For a time, I would get no push notifications at all; and then I deleted the tasks and set up new ones, so some work now, but others don't. I am using a LG G2 with Android 4.4.2.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 17:18 UTC

Jule,

If all reminders are re-created, let me know if the issue still happens at all.

Regards,
Brendon.

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Quent Rhodes premium

Replied on Jul 22, 2014 - 18:25 UTC

Hi Brendon,

I have usually been on wifi at home when my time-based reminders have been missed. The connection can be flaky at times (thanks Time Warner!). I will keep an eye on that part of it. I will also continue to observe if a restart cleans things up if the reminders begin misfiring again.

Thanks,

Quent

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Jul 23, 2014 - 15:40 UTC

Finally got round to setting up a new account to move to, the username is ramercer+todoist@gmail.com, so I'm ready to backup my tasks from my old account and import into this new one. However it seems that importing requires a premium account.

Thanks, converted over to the new account now. I'll keep you posted how this one behaves.

Time to build my karma back up again...

MK

Maciej Kotliński premium

Replied on Jul 24, 2014 - 10:28 UTC

Hi.
I also have this problem. After update with location-based notifications time-based notifications started to work randomly (sometimes they trigger, but mostly - don't). Everything as described above by other users (also tried solutions mentioned above).
I'm sure problems began after addition of location-based notifications (.. I was so happy that you've added it at last..)
Kitkat 4.4.4, Paranoid Android, galaxy S3

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Jul 25, 2014 - 01:59 UTC

Bad news, tonight I had three tasks that should have triggered notifications. None did. Seems like this new account is also exhibiting the same problem. :-(

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Quent Rhodes premium

Replied on Jul 25, 2014 - 12:41 UTC

I have found the most consistent fix for this issue to be logging out of the Android app and logging back in. I still don't know what triggers the bug; but it seems to happen most often when I switch from work wi-fi to home wi-fi. The bug is not triggered when I go from home wi-fi to work wi-fi.

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Jul 25, 2014 - 12:47 UTC

This morning none of my notifications came through. I did notice that, in the android app, the tasks that should have had reminders didn't have the little alarm clock icon next to their due time. However if I edited the task there were reminders set, I deleted the reminders, and added new ones.

JH

Julie Halatek premium

Replied on Jul 25, 2014 - 12:49 UTC

I am still having the same issue. The only way that I have found around this seems to be if I delete the task on the same day it occurs and add it back with a reminder. Again, it seems to be random. I have a recurring task set up with a reminder. Two days ago, I got the reminder push. Yesterday, I did not.

SB

Simon Bonner premium

Replied on Jul 25, 2014 - 13:23 UTC

Having the same problems. As Adam described, the reminders are not firing
on time and are appearing in the task list but do show up if I edit a task.
Logging out and back in restored the reminders, but this is not a long term
fix. I seems that the reminders are being turned off overnight for me, and
I've already missed one time sensitive task because of this.

I'm running version 5.2.2 on Android 4.4.4.

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Jul 26, 2014 - 23:30 UTC

After deleting and readding the notifications yesterday this last nights and this mornings notifications came through. My first of this evenings did not. Following Quents suggestion above I logged out and logged back in, the next notification came through.

Makoto ITO premium

Replied on Jul 28, 2014 - 01:13 UTC

Reminders seem to come through fine after (A) deleting and recreating them, or after (B) logging out and logging back in, but the issue (of some reminders not being pushed) reappears in a couple of days or so.

I'm using version 5.2.2 on Android 4.4.4.

MK

Maciej Kotliński premium

Replied on Jul 28, 2014 - 10:29 UTC

It seems like Staff has no idea what causes this problem (or it's a secret).
Reminders are useful, and it's the feature that makes people pay for premium, so it would be nice to have them working, so maybe someone could upload .apk with previous version of the app for us, so we, at least, could use it with time-based reminders?

David Trey staff

Replied on Jul 28, 2014 - 12:42 UTC

Hello Maciej,

We're very sorry for the inconvenience, we're looking into this issue, based on reports, it would seem to affect recurring tasks and our developers are working on it.

Thanks David, I've gone back to this version to confirm that notifications are working correctly in that release.

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Jul 30, 2014 - 01:40 UTC

In the past day, since downgrading to 5.1, all notifications have come through as expected. So this issue was definitely introduced alongside the location based reminders in version 5.2. I'm going to stick with version 5.1 as I'd rather have working notifications than location based reminders.

Please let me know if there's anything I can help with in resolving this as staying with 5.1 clearly isn't a long term option.

MK

Maciej Kotliński premium

Replied on Jul 30, 2014 - 07:56 UTC

Same here. Two days of using 5.1 and everything worked fine - old recurring reminders, new reminders, snoozed and postponed reminders.
Maybe you should consider some kind of official announcement to help other users who experience these problems, find temporary solution (I bet there are lot more people experiencing this problems).

I've update to this version (5.2.2-reminders_fix), I'll see how it behaves over the weekend and get back to you.

MK

Maciej Kotliński premium

Replied on Aug 01, 2014 - 19:33 UTC

Same here.

MK

Maciej Kotliński premium

Replied on Aug 04, 2014 - 08:44 UTC

It seems that in 5.2.2-reminders_fix time-based reminders are working ok, but location-based reminders are broken (at least on my device). At first app was crashing when I was trying to add location-based reminder (exactly at the moment when mini map should appear). After reboot adding of location-based reminder was working ok - minimap was working ok and so on - but after finishing the process of addition of reminder it appears gray on list of reminders and is not being save. When I go back to list of tasks and then back to details of task, the reminders tab is empty. And there's no reminder when I reach location of course.

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Aug 04, 2014 - 12:34 UTC

Sam behaviour here, time based reminders work here but the app crashes when trying to add a location based reminder. I am also unable to add a location based reminder using the web app, when I enter an address nothing happens. I click the "Add Reminder" button and it tells me I need to select a location first.

Rebooting results in the same behaviour in the Android app, I reproduced the problem whilst "adb logcat" was running and the following was written:

I managed to set a location based reminder for when I get to work in the web app so I'll see what happens when I get to work...

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Aug 04, 2014 - 16:14 UTC

Location reminders seem to work, at least one I set using the web app triggered a notification. However I'm unable to set them from the Android app. So this test release fixed the time based reminders but broke the location based reminders.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Aug 06, 2014 - 15:48 UTC

Hi,

5.2.3 was just released and should fix everything, please update when your device gets the update.

Regards,
Brendon

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Adam Mercer

Replied on Aug 06, 2014 - 16:14 UTC

I updated earlier this morning. Adding a location reminder doesn't crash the app and I'll let you know how the time based reminders work.

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Aug 07, 2014 - 19:06 UTC

The time based reminders are working fine but the location based reminders aren't. Adding them doesn't crash the app anymore but they aren't created. When adding them they appear in the reminder section of the app greyed out. When looking at the task in the task list there is no alarm clock icon by the task and going back to edit the task no reminder is listed.

This seems like a different issue so I can open another issue if you'd prefer?

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Aug 07, 2014 - 19:07 UTC

Adding the location based reminders via the web apps leads to the reminders sticking, and being viewable in the android app. I'll let you know if a reminder is triggered.

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Aug 07, 2014 - 23:31 UTC

The location based notification added through the web app triggered, but I unable to create a location based notification using the android app.

Brendon Wadey staff

Replied on Aug 07, 2014 - 23:42 UTC

Hi,

We have reproduced an issue when using the edit menu. Please use the REMINDER option for now instead of the EDIT option when you tap a task for creating location reminders. Once a fix is available, we will notify you right away.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Regards,
Brendon

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Aug 08, 2014 - 02:00 UTC

Thanks, I can confirm that using the reminder option instead of edit works for me.

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Adam Mercer premium

Replied on Aug 08, 2014 - 04:19 UTC

I just got prompted to update to 5.2.4 and I can confirm that this version allows me to use the edit menu to add location based reminders. Thanks for the prompt fix.